The future of European basketball could take another major turn, with EuroLeague expecting a proposal from the NBA ahead of a crucial October 5 meeting of its club owners.
According to Front Office Sports, EuroLeague is expecting an offer from the NBA regarding its planned European competition. If the proposal arrives, club owners are expected to discuss it at their next meeting in Cernobbio, Italy.
The development comes as the NBA continues preparations for NBA Europe, while EuroLeague is moving forward with its own plans for the next phase of the competition. EuroLeague remains open to working with the NBA, but any potential agreement would need to benefit both sides.
What could the NBA proposal include?
The exact nature of the expected NBA proposal remains unclear. However, Gazzetta dello Sport previously reported that the NBA could consider offering to acquire a controlling stake in EuroLeague.
Such a move would represent a major shift in the relationship between the two organizations, but the reported takeover scenario should not be treated as the confirmed content of the expected proposal. Front Office Sports reports that EuroLeague is expecting an offer related to the NBA’s planned European competition, without specifying whether it would involve an ownership stake, a partnership or another form of cooperation.
The October 5 meeting is therefore becoming increasingly significant. EuroLeague shareholders are already expected to discuss the competition’s future structure, including its franchise model and expansion plans, meaning an NBA proposal could influence the direction of the league.
If no agreement is reached, Europe’s premier club competition could instead continue with its existing transformation strategy. The plan calls for a closed franchise-based competition that could expand to 24 teams from the 2027-28 season, including 21 permanent franchises.
The process has already attracted significant interest, with more than 20 expressions of interest reportedly received. Eleven candidates have advanced to the due diligence stage, while binding offers have represented almost €700 million in franchise fees.
